Training camp is here! The NFL’s most quiet period has come to an end as the New England Patriots have started this year’s camp earlier this week. The 88 players currently under contract are now in the process of fighting for spots on either the team’s 53-man roster or its 10-man practice squad.

As we have done throughout the offseason, we will continue to take a look at the men fighting for those few select spots on the 2017 Patriots – and to find out who will and might be asked to help the team defend its Super Bowl title.

Today, we will continue the series with one of the Patriots’ depth tight ends.

Name: Matt Lengel

Position: Tight end

Jersey number: 82

Opening day age: 26

Experience: 2

Size: 6’7, 265 lbs.

2016 review: Former undrafted rookie Matt Lengel had an eventful second year in the NFL, going from practice squad player to Super Bowl champion in only three months. The Eastern Kentucky product originally started 2016 with the Cincinnati Bengals, who signed their former free agency pickup to a futures contract in January. Lengel spent his entire training camp with the Bengals but was released during final cut-downs in September.

The very next day, however, the team signed him to its initial practice squad. Lengel spent the first eight weeks of the season on Cincinnati’s scout team before New England signed him to its active roster as the number three tight end in early November. In week 11, Lengel saw his first game action for the Patriots when starter Rob Gronkowski was out with a chest injury.

When Gronkowksi was placed on injured reserve prior to week 13, Lengel was elevated to the number two spot on…